Staff photo by Fritz Busch Iowa sculpture artist Jefferson Davis, left, shakes hands with Prince Legacy Project President Joel King of Henderson on front of the 15-foot Prince’s guitar sculpture installed outside the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame on Broadway Sunday.

NEW ULM — Passersby honked horns and stopped for a photo as the colorful and creative 15-foot sculpture of Prince’s guitar was placed on a cement footing in front of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHF) Sunday.

The sculpture with many things Prince includes a replica of his keyboard, wheel cover from a 1964 Buick Wildcat, said to be one of his favorite cars, a trumpet, cornet, clarinet, flute, cymbal, speaker, early version of an iPod and video camera, microphone motorcycle taillight, white doves, and other items.

Woodbine, Iowa sculpture artist Jefferson Davis talked about how the sculpture came about.

“I grew up on Prince and wanted to build something that Minnesota people would appreciate,” said Davis. “Nobody says Minnesota more than Prince Rogers Nelson.”

A metal artist and former Omaha union sheetmetal worker, Davis said he got involved with the Mankato CityArt Sculpture competition and built the sculpture for the 2022 contest. The sculpture won the People’s Choice Award. It was moved from Mankato to New Ulm Sunday.

Davis said he spent many hours just mounting the piano keyboard on the Prince sculpture.

Prince Legacy Project President and former Prince film cameraman Joel King of Henderson said he raised money for the sculpture through the Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation. The organization donated much of the funds for it, along with other donors listed on the base of the sculpture.

King, was an award-winning Hollywood movie and television cameraman for 30 years before opening his own photography studio. He grew up in Lakeville before moving to California, then back to Minnesota.

“This is a perfect fit for us. Joel King donated it,” said MMHF Executive Director Bonnie Ubl.

The MMHF Museum joins more than 50 pieces of Prince memorabilia displayed just inside the museum front door. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday April to November. Visit mnmusichalloffame.org for more information.